Frances Day, candidate for Roxbury Board of Education

Oct. 18, 2013

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Written by

Frances Day

1. What professional and/or personal experience do you feel is most relevant to the position you are seeking?

I have been a resident of Roxbury for 25 years and have truly enjoyed living in this town. Having a spirit of volunteerism Roxbury has provided great opportunity for me in this area. I have been an elected Roxbury Republican County Committee Member since 2010. I am an Active Member of St. Therese, Eucharist Minister, Rosary member and recently joined the finance committee. For the school system, I have been B.O.E. liaison for several schools, Chairperson of several P.T.A. committees including Family Night, Nixon P.T.A. Newsletter, E.M.S. Dance Co-Chairperson, R.H.S. Soccer & Lacrosse Team Mom. As a parent, I have spent many hours attending soccer, wrestling and lacrosse games. My twenty years experience in Employee Benefits field handling medical, dental, retirement plans, life & disability insurance will be an asset to the board and administration.

2. If you are an incumbent, what achievements are you most proud of during your time in office? If you are a challenger, why have you chosen to run?

The current Roxbury Board of Education has FIVE members who, due to conflicts of interest, cannot fully participate in all board activities. The CARE candidates have two people who would not be able to participate in all agenda issues because their family ties create conflicts. If the CARE candidates were elected, then 5 of the 9 elected Roxbury Board Of Education members would continue to NOT be able to participate in upcoming teacher contract negotiations.

3. Please identify the one or two issues you see as most important in this race and summarize your goals in relation to these issues.

For the past three years, the board has had surpluses totaling in excess of $6,000,000. This past year, the board transferred $2,400,000 of surplus into capital reserve. However, they still took a 1.9% tax increase; even though they knew they would have 100 less students to educate. The board should do a better job of budget forecasting; thereby minimizing tax increases.

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The district is facing decreased enrollment. The demographic study commissioned by the board, projects 1,000 less students by 2016. We need to plan now on how to address this issue.

I am for sports and music; but against paying $60,000 for a person to tell the staff to “turn out the lights”. The high school has a homecoming court, but not a homecoming dance. The district is now a Choice school for music, but does not have a Music Honor Society.

4. What do you see as the biggest difference voters should consider between yourself and your opponent(s)?

The current Roxbury Board of Education has several members who, due to conflicts of interest, cannot fully participate in all board activities. The CARE candidates have two people who would not be able to participate in all activities because their profession or family ties create conflicts. If the CARE candidates were elected, then 5 of the 9 elected Roxbury Board Of Education members would NOT be able to participate in upcoming teacher contract negotiations.

The Board of Education needs to have members that can fully participate in all of the board’s activities. The slate of Frances Day, Chris Rogers and Garry DeFilippis are able to fully participate in all board activities. VOTE for: Day - Rogers – DeFilippis, ballot positions 2, 3, 6 - 2 x 3 = 6 "Back to Basics"